At 13:31:04 on 11.11.11, Trot ON Comment wrote:
Lot's of us are feeling the pinch at the moment. How is the recession and the rising cost of keeping a horse affecting you? Read the Trot ON blog and then tell us about your experiences and share your recession beating tips.
http://blog.troton.com/2011/11/are-you-riding-out-recession.html

At 16:43:37 on 11.11.11, horse mad hayley wrote:
* Sell unused equipment to raise money for things you really need. * Get together with friends and hold a 'paddock sale' just like a yard sale. *Horse rescues may give you a tax receipt for equipment you donate. Make sure they are a registered charity. *Be patient and wait for big ticket items to come on sale. Be a bargain shopper. Buy things on sale at the end of the season. For example, winter rugs often come on sale in late winter/early spring and show clothing comes on sale in the fall. *Check farm supply stores for inexpensive tubs, buckets, manure forks, brooms, even halters, brushes, de-wormer and other supplies. *Cut your horseback riding costs: If you take lessons consider switching to group lessons, or taking lessons bi-weekly. Money saving tips in your horse's stable. *Some mills sell softwood shavings. They may deliver in bulk or you may be able to bag it yourself. *Turn off lights in your barn and arena when not in use. If riding at night, only turn on half the arena lights unless you are doing something that requires excellent lighting, such as jumping. Change the type of livery you are paying for. If you’re paying for full board, consider part or diy. *Barter barn chores for a discount on your livery. Just make sure you are willing to commit to the work. *Turn out horses as long as possible so they don’t soil costly bedding. *Take turns to visit the yard with other reliable yard mates to cut down on petrol costs, one puts them out and one brings them in etc *Let your horse go barefoot if possible. Try front shoes only if your horse must be shod. *Good basic horse care can prevent colic and other health problems that can result in vet bills. *Don’t breed your mare. In most cases it is less expensive and risky to buy a four year old horse, than it is to raise one from a foal. *If your vet normally de-worms your horse, consider doing it yourself. Skimping on immunizations however, is false economy. *Buy in bulk or split costs of hay and straw with other yard friends.

At 16:55:06 on 11.11.11, Sadie Ann wrote:
Because of the recession and my husband's schooling I am choosing to put off buying until we are clearly in the light on the other side of this. I think we are going to put getting a house before a horse because we don't want to keep putting so much money into renting. We have to put pleasures aside (no matter how much they seem necessary to happiness!). Bills are heavy, and sometimes we overspend. That is not a good feeling.

At 20:01:28 on 16.11.11, quorum wrote:
The 22 horses I work with are naturally managed,living outdoors 24/7 without shoes and rugs.It has cut the running costs considerably,(although this is not the movitation behind keeping the horses this way) We feed hay ad lib (during the winter months) and half a scoop of balancer every day. As the horses are constantly exericising themselves in the field,it has the added bonus of them very fit and healthy!

At 23:32:55 on 17.11.11, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
i might force grenville to go shoeless lol it will be a long and painful route to having him comfy shoeless though as his feet are so flat and he is such a whimp!